For a change of pace, a recent study suggests that taking ecstasy only once can cause memory impairments. According to Keith Laws and Fabrizio Schifano from the University of Hertfordshire, ecstasy users show significantly impaired memory when … [Read more...] about Google is Pro-Ecstasy, Professors Claim
Lucid Nightmares – Fear, Initiation, and Beyond
Sometimes there really is nothing to fear but fear itself. Fear plays a huge role in lucid dreams because fear can manifest exactly what we don't want to see. In lucid dreams this well-known phenomenon is called the expectancy effect. When we become … [Read more...] about Lucid Nightmares – Fear, Initiation, and Beyond
Lucid Nightmares & Frightening Near Death Experiences
Today I want to talk about lucid nightmares using the metaphor of frightening Near Death Experiences (fNDEs). Both of these states of consciousness are under-reported, most likely due to the taboos I explored in Part I of this series. In general, … [Read more...] about Lucid Nightmares & Frightening Near Death Experiences
The Dark Side of Lucid Dreams
Welcome to part III of my series Lucid Nightmares. Many of us were introduced to lucid dreaming spontaneously when we found ourselves in the middle of a disturbing dream. What a wake up call! Surprisingly, even though lucid nightmares are quite … [Read more...] about The Dark Side of Lucid Dreams
Delving into the Cause of Nightmares
This is part two of my series on lucid nightmares. But first we need to take a sweeping look at how the nightmare in general is discussed and treated in contemporary psychology. Technically, a nightmare is a dream that the sleeper finds disturbing, … [Read more...] about Delving into the Cause of Nightmares
What are Lucid Nightmares?
Lucid nightmares are dreams that you know you are dreaming, but are confronted with a dream scene or imagery that is disturbing or feels unsafe. You may feel out-of-control, or you may be calmly witnessing some horrible scene that is not the product … [Read more...] about What are Lucid Nightmares?
6 Unspectacular Things About Me
I"ve been tagged by Craig to continue these meme about my human foibles. Let's get to it. 1. If I don't do my stretches in the morning, my back is stiff all day and that makes me grumpy. 2. Sometimes I drink coffee, but the habit sneaks up on me … [Read more...] about 6 Unspectacular Things About Me
Office Culture Reconsiders the Siesta
Our culture is a sleep-deprived culture. While that is obvious to many, it is helpful every once in a while to call out the larger dynamic, the water we swim in. Workaholism, ambient electric lights, unregulated microwave radiation, houses … [Read more...] about Office Culture Reconsiders the Siesta
Lucid Dreaming Radio and Dream Theater
Two great dream events to point you to today. The first is an interview with the editor of the Lucid Dream Exchange on Coast to Coast Radio. Veteran lucid dream educator Robert Waggoner provides a balanced history of lucid dreaming research, and … [Read more...] about Lucid Dreaming Radio and Dream Theater
Dreams Influenced by Smell
Here's a great piece of dream research that just hit the wires: In a study of 15 healthy German women, smells in the dreamer's environment effected their dream content. Specifically, the smells (rotten eggs for some, and roses for the luckier … [Read more...] about Dreams Influenced by Smell